INDIVIDUALIZED MUSIC LESSONS
(VOICE)
MUSI: 112-115 & STUDIO CLASS
Dr. Gerald J. Blanchard, Professor of Voice
Office: D228
Studio: D206
Phone: (269) 965-3931, ext. 2566
E-mail: blanchardg@kellogg.edu
Web Site: www.kellogg.edu/music
Office Hours: See posted schedule
Individualized Lesson Time/Day: __________________ (completed by student)
“Learning to sing is a slow and patient undertaking, in which a good ear is the
prerequisite, the imagery is an aid supplied by the teacher, and the experience is
gradually accumulated until it is so powerful that merely calling up the memory will
reproduce it."
William Vennard
LESSONS
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Student must attend the Studio Master Class sessions (Wednesdays @ 1pm, Davidson Aud.)
Student is responsible for arriving to each lesson warmed up and ready to work
Student must sign in at each lesson session on clip board
Student is expected to perform studio master class series a minimum of (3) times throughout the
semester
All lessons must be well prepared. Suggested minimum practice time is one hour per day. (If
possible, in two 30-minute increments.) Organize your practice time so that you have 10 or 15
minutes of vocalizing, and then work on your repertoire.
Arrive at your lesson warmed-up and ready to sing and always bring a notebook for keeping track of
information, assignments, vocal exercises, etc.
Bring a recording device and a pencil to each lesson.
If you are ill or have an emergency to attend to, you must call in advance of the scheduled lesson
time. Call my studio, 965-3931 Ext. 2566, or call the department secretary at 965-3931 Ext. 2554 and
make sure that the message is delivered directly to me. You can also e-mail me at
blanchardg@kellogg.edu and/or call me at home 517-410-3120 (Emergency only!). Unexcused
missed lessons will automatically lower your grade and will not be made up. Make up lessons are at
the discretion of the instructor and will be scheduled based on mutual availability.
You are expected to write in and learn the Word-By-Word translations for your entire repertoire. (You
may borrow my copy of the Word-By-Word books as long as they do not leave the Choir room, the
Listening Lab or my studio with them. Learning to use the IPA is extremely important.
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www.kellogg.edu/music
“The student will…
Demonstrate appropriate vocal technique
 Have a functional knowledge of the appoggiatura breathing technique
OUTCOMES:
Competency:
Measure:
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Have the ability to phonate effectively (w/out tension) through demonstration
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Through performance, demonstrate a working knowledge of effective singing
Class participation, studio recital, master class performance and vocal jury
ADDITONAL OUTCOMES: The student will….
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Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Alexander Technique (Muscular Alertness)
Through performance demonstrate the effects of “Tonal Response”
Express both verbally and through demonstration the basic techniques of singing
PERFORMANCES/ASSIGNMENTS
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Attendance at all voice recitals and studio master class sessions are required.
Attendance at all Vocal Music Concerts (Choral/solo) is strongly encouraged.
You must perform a minimum of three (3) times in studio/recital. This is a minimum expectation for
this studio.
You may be called upon un-expectantly!
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
1. Show up for your lessons:
a. on time.
b. prepared. The purpose of lessons is not to teach you the notes or rhythms - that is what practicing is for.
c. warmed up. Most lessons will begin with a regimen of exercises. However, they are designed not to warm
up the voice, but to improve it. As such, they are often rather rigorous. It is crucial that you prepare yourself
mentally and physically before your lesson.
2. You are expected to practice daily on technique (exercises) and repertoire. You will not improve without
regular practice. Remember, you reap what you sow. Most illnesses should not prevent you from
practicing. Even if your voice is not functioning physically, you can still work on the comprehension of
pitches, rhythms, diction, understanding the text, phrasing, and memorization. Plan ahead to avoid the
conflicts that can and will occur (exams, papers, etc.)…
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www.kellogg.edu/music
STUDIO GRADING:
A: 100-93
A-: 92-90
B+: 89-87
B: 86-83
C: 76-73
C-: 72-70
D+: 69-67
D: 66-63
B-: 82-80
D-: 62-60
C+: 79-77
E: 0-59
Your final grade will be divided by the following scale:
Studio Grade
Studio Master Class
Jury Grade
1/3 of total grade
1/3 of total grade
1/3 of total grade
GENERAL POLICY STATEMENTS
1. Kellogg Community College Academic Integrity Statement:
The Kellogg Community College policy on Academic Integrity is spelled out in the student
handbook. If it is suspected that you are cheating, fabricating, facilitating academic
dishonesty, or plagiarizing, there may be serious consequences. The incident will be
documented and may be reported to the academic chair and/or program director for
possible disciplinary actions up to and including course, program, or college expulsion.
2. Kellogg Community College Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504
Statement:
Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of students
based on disability. KCC is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Students with a documented disability are strongly encouraged to speak with the instructor
and with the professional staff at Support Services (ext. 2624). The College offers many
resources, but it is important to take advantage of them early. It is the student’s
responsibility to notify the College and instructors of your needs.
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3. Instructor Syllabus Rights Statement:
Information contained in this syllabus was to the best knowledge of the instructor
considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester.
However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract with Kellogg Community
College and any student, nor between the instructor and any student. The instructor
reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg Community College,
to make changes in the course content or instructional techniques without notice or
obligation.
4. Student e-mail
All KCC students are provided with e-mail accounts through the college server. You will be
responsible for checking your KCC e-mail regularly and should be prepared to use KCC email as part of student-college interaction. For e-mail account information, check the web at
www.kellogg.edu/email/geninfo
5. Cell Phone and Other Electronic Equipment Statement:
CELL PHONES AND PAGERS must be on mute during class. If you must take or return
an emergency call, please go out in the hall to do so.
6. Class Conduct and Participation:
Class participation is encouraged. We will follow the College policies regarding conduct. I
expect students to create an atmosphere of respect. No name-calling, interrupting, or foul
language is allowed. Come prepared with an open attitude that is professional and shows
that you are ready to learn.
New Policy: LESSON ATTENDANCE POLICY: Terms and conditions
Scheduling missed lessons and make-up lessons
Your instructor must be notified of any lesson cancellations 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson
date in order to qualify for make-up lessons. There are no make-ups for no-show students or late
comers. Emergency cancellations may be qualified with proof of emergency: If a student calls in
sick prior to the lesson on the lesson day, a doctor's note is required for a makeup to be
considered. If a permanent schedule change is required, please inform the instructor
immediately. Every effort will be made to accommodate date and time for an approved make-up
when possible. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the scheduling of make-up lessons, not the
instructor. Make-up lessons are based on teacher's availability. All make-up lessons must be done
within 60 calendar days from the date of the cancelled lesson. No refunds are given for missed
lessons.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. What if I am late to a lesson? Can I still get the full 30 or 60 minutes?
A. This is usually impossible to do as the teachers have other students right after your
lesson. To give you the full lesson time would then make everyone else after you start and
end late which is unfair to them. The only instance this would be allowed is if you were
the teachers last student for the day and they had the time to offer you, this providing the
lesson room was available and they were willing to accommodate.
Q. What if the teacher doesn't have a make-up slot available during the week of my
missed lesson?
A. This is rare, and in this case, the teacher will sometimes open up a special slot to
accommodate the student. If this is not possible then the canceled lesson would be added
to the end of the semester. Typically, the lesson will occur just before your scheduled jury
or recital performance time.
Q. What if I fail to complete my jury?
Then your grade will suffer dramatically. It would be highly unlikely that you would pass the
course for that semester. YOU DO NOT MISS YOUR JURY EXAM!
www.kellogg.edu/music
WITHDRAWAL: Check with the registrar’s office for the last day to withdraw and receive full
refund. You the student must obtain this information. If you fail to withdraw from the class before
the deadline, you will be held accountable for your end of the semester grade.
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THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
FACT SHEET
VOCAL STUDY
These guidelines have been prepared in order to help department faculty evaluate student
performance. Assessment sheets for evaluations and juries will be provided for those
events.
LESSONS
Each student will receive either one 30-minute (1cr.) or one 60-minute (2cr.) private lesson per week for the duration of
the academic semester.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
All students will perform in a voice recital on campus every semester, performing a minimum of one to two songs in at
least two languages (music majors and minors will perform at least three songs). All recital music must be presented at
concert performance level - memorized and polished. At the end of the semester, the students with the highest jury level
scores will be invited to perform in the honors recital the following semester.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF STUDY:
Show up for your lessons:
a. on time.
b. prepared.
c. warmed up.
You are expected to practice daily on technique (exercises) and
repertoire.
 You will not improve without regular practice. Remember, you
reap what you sow. Most illnesses should not prevent you from
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practicing. Even if your voice is not functioning physically, you can
still work on the comprehension of pitches, rhythms, diction,
understanding the text, phrasing, and memorization. Plan ahead to
avoid the conflicts that can and will occur (exams, papers, etc.).
JURY PREOCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
Effective Fall 2010
Juries will be graded by the music faculty. Each faculty member submits a grade and written comments for
the student. The jury grade is the average of the grades submitted by the music faculty. The final grade given
by the student’s private teacher will be averaged into the total giving the student his/her final semester grade.
Students are graded on the following criteria:
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Musical Accuracy
Artistic Performance
Vocal/Instrumental Technique
Vocal Diction
Purity of Vowel Sounds
Stage Presence
Communication with Audience
Musical Interpretation etc.
PROCEDURE FOR JURY:
A jury is a type of final examination, which usually occurs during finals week. Level change juries will
determine whether the student has developed technically and artistically enough to work at a more advanced
level.
The student will begin with his/her first choice selection. Other selections are chosen at random by other
members of the music faculty. The final selection is chosen by the student’s private voice/instrumental
instructor.
ENRICHMENT STUDENTS:
Students taking for non-academic credit are not required to perform a jury; however, they are encouraged to
do so with the expressed consent of their applied music instructor.
www.kellogg.edu/music
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Vocal and Instrumental Jury Policy
All students taking applied lessons for academic credit, both performance majors and non-majors must play a
jury at the conclusion of each semester to show evidence of progress on their instrument. The student must
successfully pass his/her jury in order to progress to the next level of study.
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MUSI 112-113 (vocal) level students must be prepared to perform a minimum of three contrasting
pieces. Two must be memorized. (MUSI 113 or higher) One must be in a language other than
English.
MUSI 114-115 (vocal) level students must be prepared to perform a minimum of four to six
contrasting pieces by memory. All must be memorized! (MUSI 115) Two selections must be from
standard art song, lied, opera or oratorio repertoire.
SIGHT READING REQUIREMENT:
A primary goal of our music programs is to produce students who are musically literate and prepared to
experience a lifetime of musical enrichment. The development of sight reading skills is central to the
achievement of this primary goal. Therefore, the development of specific sight reading skills must be included
at all levels of instruction and evaluation.
You the student will be asked to perform a small musical excerpt at sight. This is merely for evaluation
purposes. YOU WILL NOT BE GRADED on this aspect of the evaluative process. Your instructor will assist
you with the appropriate levels of preparation for the exercise.
www.kellogg.edu/music
MASTER CLASS PERFORMANCE:
PLEASE NOTE: For all voice students who are majors at the 115 level, a solo or General Recital
performance is required on your final semester of study
MUSI 112-01/02: First Semester (non-major) students are required to perform in (1) Master Class Session
and (1) Recital and jury. Music majors are required to perform in (2) Master Class Sessions and (1) Recital
and jury.
MUSI 113-01/02 Second Semester (non-major) students are required to perform in (2) Master Class Sessions
and (1) Recital and jury. Music majors are required to perform in (3) Master Class Sessions and (1) Recital
and jury.
MUSI 114-01/02 Third Semester (non-major) students are required to perform in (3) Master Class Sessions
and (1) Recital and jury. Music majors are required to perform in (4) Master Class Sessions and (1) Recital
and jury.
MUSI 115-01/02 Fourth Semester (non-majors) students are required to perform in (5) Master Class
Sessions, (1) Studio Recital and a jury. Music majors must complete the previous listed requirements in
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addition to presenting an end of the semester Senior Recital program. There will be no jury, but
committee must approve student in order to present a solo public recital.
No required performances; however student is encouraged to perform as
MUSI C112-01
often as possible.
Accompanist:
It is the student’s responsibility to secure and compensate accompanist for his/her lessons, studio classes
and other performances. It is important that you notify your accompanists well in advance of any changes in
schedules or upcoming performances. Do not wait until the last moment! Remember, you the student are
responsible for securing and compensating your own accompanist. If you cannot locate an accompanist,
please contact Mr. Blanchard (blanchardg@kellogg.edu) and he will assist you with locating someone. Below,
please find a list of local pianist who often accompanies KCC students. Please remember, you must PAY
FOR YOUR OWN PIANIST. For additional accompanist information, visit www.kellogg.edu/music
(Free) Paula Krontz-Harris
(paulakrontz@yahoo.com)
Additional accompanists for hire are:
ACCOMPANIST INFORMATION:
Nancy Brown Phone: 269-963-1911 ext.
2502 (Staff)
Kathy Cary Email: carryk@cbpu.com
(Faculty)
Mark Wells Email: Wellsm@kellogg.edu
(Faculty)
Sara Cleland Email: applauz13@hotmail.com
(Faculty)
Cynthia Fillmore-Garn- Email:
cynleegarn8@gmail.com
Al Barney -Email: ABarney52@aol.com
www.kellogg.edu/music
is where you get answers!
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